Rialto Channel

{{Short description|Television channel in New Zealand}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox television channel

| name = Rialto

| logo = File:New Rialto Channel Logo.jpg

| logo_size =

| logo_alt =

| image =

| launch_date = November 2002

| closed_date =

| picture_format = 1080i (HDTV) 16:9

| network =

| owner =

| country = New Zealand

| area =

| headquarters =

| former_names =

| replaced =

| sister_channels =

| timeshift_service =

| website = [http://www.rialtochannel.co.nz www.rialtochannel.co.nz]

| terr_serv_1 =

| terr_chan_1 =

| sat_radio_serv_1 =

| sat_radio_chan_1 =

| adsl serv 1 =

| adsl chan 1 =

| online_serv_2 = Sky Go

| online_chan_2 = [http://www.skygo.co.nz skygo.co.nz]

| logo_caption =

}}

Rialto, is a commercial television channel in New Zealand. It began broadcasting in November 2002 on SKY Network Television, who is its part-owner.{{cite news |title=Sky keeping an eye on the TV that started it all |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sky-keeping-an-eye-on-the-tv-that-started-it-all/5BDO3FIFZK57RBFNXGXPT7IE6A/ |work=The New Zealand Herald}} Rialto developed from the Sundance Channel, owned by David Ross, entertainment entrepreneur John Barnett, businessman Wayne Brown and Peter Francis.

In 2002, the latter three sold shares to Hawken, who has since owned the channel 50:50 with Ross. Sky is not involved with the overseas expansion.

The channel screens films, documentaries and general entertainment programming. The channel has at times sponsored the New Zealand Film Awards.